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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Characterizing Non-Uniformity of Performance of Thin-Film Solar Cells

Thin-film Solar Cells are being actively studied for terrestrial and space applications because of their potential to provide low-cost, lightweight, and flexible electric power system. Currently, thin-film solar cell performance is limited partially by the nonuniformity of performance that they typically exhibit. This nonuniformity of performance necessitates more detailed characterization techniques than the well-known macroscopic measurements such as current-voltage and efficiency. This project seeks to explore methods of characterization that take into account the spatial nonuniformity of thin-film solar cells. In this presentation we show results of electroluminescence images, short-circuit maps, and Kelvin Probe maps. All these mapping characterization and analysis tools show that the non-uniformities can correlated with device performance and efficiency.

Clark, Eric B.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Carbon-Nanotube Conductive Layers for Thin-Film Solar Cells

Thin, transparent layers comprising mats of carbon nanotubes have been proposed for providing lateral (that is, inplane) electrical conductivities for collecting electric currents from the front surfaces of the emitter layers of thin-film solar photovoltaic cells. Traditionally, thin, semitransparent films of other electrically conductive materials (usually, indium tin oxide, zinc oxide, or cadmium sulfide) have been used for this purpose. As in the cases of the traditional semitransparent conductive films, the currents collected by the nanotube layers would, in turn, be further collected by front metal contact stripes. Depending on details of a specific solar-cell design, the layer of carbon nanotubes would be deposited in addition to, or instead of, a semitransparent layer of one of these traditional conductive materials (see figure). The proposal is expected to afford the following advantages: The electrical conductivity of the carbon- nanotube layer would exceed that of the corresponding semitransparent layer of traditional electrically conductive material. The greater electrical conductivity of the carbon-nanotube layer would make it possible to retain adequate lateral electrical conductivity while reducing the thickness of, or eliminating entirely, the traditional semitransparent conductive layer. As a consequence of thinning or elimination of the traditional semitransparent conductive layer, less light would be absorbed, so that more of the incident light would be available for photovoltaic conversion. The greater electrical conductivity of the carbon-nanotube layer would make it possible to increase the distance between front metal contact stripes, in addition to (or instead of) thinning or eliminating the layer of traditional semitransparent conductive material. Consequently, the fraction of solar-cell area shadowed by front metal contact stripes would be reduced again, making more of the incident light available for photovoltaic conversion. The electrical conductivities of individual carbon nanotubes can be so high that the mat of carbon nanotubes could be made sparse enough to be adequately transparent while affording adequate lateral electrical conductivity of the mat as a whole. The thickness of the nanotube layer would be chosen so that the layer would contribute significant lateral electrical conductivity, yet would be as nearly transparent as possible to incident light. A typical thickness for satisfying these competing requirements is expected to lie between 50 and 100 nm. The optimum thickness must be calculated by comparing the lateral electrical conductivity, the distance between front metal stripes, and the amount of light lost by absorption in the nanotube layer.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Single Source Precursors for Thin Film Solar Cells

The development of thin film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified substrates provides an attractive cost solution to fabricating solar arrays with high specific power, (W/kg). The use of a polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorber layer for thin film solar cells is considered as the next generation photovoltaic devices. At NASA GRC we have focused on the development of new single source precursors (SSP) and their utility to deposit the chalcopyrite semi-conducting layer (CIS) onto flexible substrates for solar cell fabrication. The syntheses and thermal modulation of SSPs via molecular engineering is described. Thin-film fabrication studies demonstrate the SSPs can be used in a spray CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process, for depositing CIS at reduced temperatures, which display good electrical properties, suitable for PV (photovoltaic) devices.

Banger, Kulbinder K.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Optimization of Thin-Film Solar Cells for Lunar Surface Operations

Thin-film solar cells have been in production for decades, but technology has only recently advanced enough to allow for comparable efficiencies to traditional rigid cells. Some of the benefits of thin-films, such as lighter weight and being foldable, are particularly advantageous to space applications since mass and volume are key considerations of any flight project. Using these thin-film cells in space, however, is outside of their ground-based design criteria. This requires special care to be taken in designing the power generation system of a spacecraft around a thin-film solar cell, particularly in regards to thermal management. Without the diffusion of an atmosphere to mitigate solar load, the temperature of the panels can rapidly exceed their design specification. In this paper a design solution is presented that allows for thin-film solar cells to be used in a robotic lunar lander. Due to the low thermal mass and in-plane conductivity of thin films, it is difficult to remove waste heat by any other method than radiation. On the lunar surface this means angling the arrays to increase their view factor to space, which has the negative consequence of decreasing their power generation. An optimization was developed to balance the heat rejection and power generation of the cells, using constraints on the maximum cell temperature and minimum spacecraft power requirements. The resulting solar panel angle was then used as an input to the Thermal Desktop model to verify the final panel temperatures.

Breeding, Shawn↗
NASA NTRS2004

Thin Film Solar Cells: Organic, Inorganic and Hybrid

Thin film solar cells are an important developing resource for hundreds of applications including space travel. In addition to being more cost effective than traditional single crystal silicon cells, thin film multi-crystaline cells are plastic and light weight. The plasticity of the cells allows for whole solar panels to be rolled out from reams. Organic layers are being investigated in order to increase the efficiency of the cells to create an organic / inorganic hybrid cell. The main focus of the group is a thin film inorganic cell made with the absorber CuInS2. So far the group has been successful in creating the layer from a single-source precursor. They also use a unique method of film deposition called chemical vapor deposition for this. The general makeup of the cell is a molybdenum back contact with the CuInS2 layer, then CdS, ZnO and aluminum top contacts. While working cells have been produced, the efficiency so far has been low. Along with quantum dot fabrication the side project of this that is currently being studied is adding a polymer layer to increase efficiency. The polymer that we are using is P3OT (Poly(3-octylthiopene-2,5-diyll), retroregular). Before (and if) it is added to the cell, it must be understood in itself. To do this simple diodes are being constructed to begin to look at its behavior. The P3OT is spin coated onto indium tin oxide and silver or aluminum contacts are added. This method is being studied in order to find the optimal thickness of the layer as well as other important considerations that may later affect the composition of the finished solar cell. Because the sun is the most abundant renewable, energy source that we have, it is important to learn how to harness that energy and begin to move away from our other depleted non-renewable energy sources. While traditional silicon cells currently create electricity at relatively high efficiencies, they have drawbacks such as weight and rigidness that make them unattractive especially for space applications. Thin film photovoltaics have the potential to alleviate these problems and create a cheap and efficient way to harness the power of the sun.

Dankovich, John↗
NASA NTRS2004

Utility of Thin-Film Solar Cells on Flexible Substrates for Space Power

The thin-film solar cell program at NASA GRC is developing solar cell technologies for space applications which address two critical metrics: specific power (power per unit mass) and launch stowed volume. To be competitive for many space applications, an array using thin film solar cells must significantly increase specific power while reducing stowed volume when compared to the present baseline technology utilizing crystalline solar cells. The NASA GRC program is developing two approaches. Since the vast majority of the mass of a thin film solar cell is in the substrate, a thin film solar cell on a very lightweight flexible substrate (polymer or metal films) is being developed as the first approach. The second approach is the development of multijunction thin film solar cells. Total cell efficiency can be increased by stacking multiple cells having bandgaps tuned to convert the spectrum passing through the upper cells to the lower cells. Once developed, the two approaches will be merged to yield a multijunction, thin film solar cell on a very lightweight, flexible substrate. The ultimate utility of such solar cells in space require the development of monolithic interconnections, lightweight array structures, and ultra-lightweight support and deployment techniques.

Dickman, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS2002

CIGS2 Thin-Film Solar Cells on Flexible Foils for Space Power

CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)S2 (CIGS2) thin-film solar cells are of interest for space power applications because of the near optimum bandgap for AM0 solar radiation in space. CIGS2 thin film solar cells on flexible stainless steel (SS) may be able to increase the specific power by an order of magnitude from the current level of 65 Wkg(sup -1). CIGS solar cells are superior to the conventional silicon and gallium arsenide solar cells in the space radiation environment. This paper presents research efforts for the development of CIGS2 thin-film solar cells on 127 micrometers and 20 micrometers thick, bright-annealed flexible SS foil for space power. A large-area, dual-chamber, inline thin film deposition system has been fabricated. The system is expected to provide thickness uniformity of plus or minus 2% over the central 5" width and plus or minus 3% over the central 6" width. During the next phase, facilities for processing larger cells will be acquired for selenization and sulfurization of metallic precursors and for heterojunction CdS layer deposition both on large area. Small area CIGS2 thin film solar cells are being prepared routinely. Cu-rich Cu-Ga/In layers were sputter-deposited on unheated Mo-coated SS foils from CuGa (22%) and In targets. Well-adherent, large-grain Cu-rich CIGS2 films were obtained by sulfurization in a Ar: H2S 1:0.04 mixture and argon flow rate of 650 sccm, at the maximum temperature of 475 C for 60 minutes with intermediate 30 minutes annealing step at 120 C. Samples were annealed at 500 C for 10 minutes without H2S gas flow. The intermediate 30 minutes annealing step at 120 C was changed to 135 C. p-type CIGS2 thin films were obtained by etching the Cu-rich layer segregated at the surface using dilute KCN solution. Solar cells were completed by deposition of CdS heterojunction partner layer by chemical bath deposition, transparent-conducting ZnO/ZnO: Al window bilayer by RF sputtering, and vacuum deposition of Ni/Al contact fingers through metal mask. PV parameters of a CIGS2 solar cell on 127 micrometers thick SS flexible foil measured under AM 0 conditions at NASA GRC were: V(sub oc) = 802.9 mV, J(sub sc) = 25.07 mA per square centimeters, FF = 60.06%, and efficiency 0 = 8.84%. For this cell, AM 1.5 PV parameters measured at NREL were: V(sub oc) = 788 mV, J(sub sc) = 19.78 mA per square centimeter, FF = 59.44%, efficiency 0 = 9.26%. Quantum efficiency curve showed a sharp QE cutoff equivalent to CIGS2 bandgap of approximately 1.50 eV, fairly close to the optimum value for efficient AM0 PV conversion in the space.

Dhere, Neelkanth G.↗